Chris - 97C2

Hey all!

Well I got my baby home and have been driving around and am loving every minute of it. It's great to be in a car that I really want to get into and learn and boy does this thing draw a crowd I didn't really realize until I got it what I had been missing all these years.

Anyway, a couple of questions from the new 911 owner: First, is it normal for the steering to have a slight dead spot around the center? I mean no other sports car (Vettes, M3s, etc...) that I have had has had this issue. It's not dramatic, but it is there.

Also, I had the brake fluid changed before taking delivery and the brake pedal is rock hard (no mushiness), but this car's brakes don't feel anywhere as strong as my M3's. Is this a function of the pads? Should I look at maybe some Pagids and if so what "color"? I for one don't mind a little noise from the brakes, but I don't want to go overboard either. I fully intend to do high perf fluid before my first DE and probably the air ducts.

Car is stock with US M030 for now, but will very shorty get RoW springs and Bilstein HDs. Driving will be 75% street, 25% DEs/etc...

Jeff96-993

Hi Chris,

Congrats on your purchase, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

As far as the issues with brakes and steering, something must be amiss since the Porsche reputation is built on those two items (plus reliability). Did you have a PPI? Was there anything called out there that might be a clue to the symptons you mention?

If not, then I'd suggest taking a look at the alignment, corner balance, and health of the shocks.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll be impressed once the car is in tip-top shape.

Chris - 97C2

Actually I guess I should have added that, thanks for reminding me. I just did a high speed balance, so the wheels/tires are fine. I suppose I might need to get the alignment done, but I am waiting (as you can imagine) for the suspension work first. Also, it doesn't pull or anything. If that cures it all I'll be a happy guy

Ray Calvo

RE the steering: sounds like somethings amiss; I can tweak the steering wheel back and forth about 1/2" and feel the front end move. Then again, I have 2WD; 4WD might be deader.

If pedal is solid as a rock but braking is "poor", might try:
- several hard stops in a row. past owner might have glazed the pads.
- Might try switching to metalmaster pads. I like them; can get the brakes to activate the ABS. Howeve,r for trakc switch to a pure track pad; Performance Friction 90 compound gets my vote.

Jeff96-993

Good idea on checking for glazed pads....I was also thinking about shock health since I've seen cars with weak shocks take a big dive under braking. The big dive makes it seem like the brakes have done all that could be expected, when in reality they have much more to give.

Mr Michael B

Nothing against the previous posters, but keep in mind that a 911 is a high speed machine. Knowing that, Porsche dialed in a "sneeze factor" into the steering (when your running 150+ on the autobahn & allergies flair up, a bit less twitchiness is preferred ya know). I am not sure how big your dead spot is, but maybe its just Porsches engineering at work.

Dont just assume the car has a problem. Try another & compare.

On the brakes, Pagid orange will do, and I like Metalmasters too.

Bruce SEA 993

Hey Chris,

I agree with Michael B on the steering...

On the brakes, all of the controls are a little "heavier" than other cars. The brakes are there...you just might be experiencing a little higher pedal pressure to achieve the stopping power you are used to.

After a while, it all becomes real natural.

Enjoy!

Chris C.

Bruce is right on. I have owned an e36m3 and your concerns are to be expected (even moreso given what I have read about the E46 cars). The 993s steering is optimal for the track...it has, for example, a huge turning radius. The m3's steering is much lighter by comparison and the ratio is optimized for street use. You should feel unbelievable feedback and precision when you drive the p-car on the track in particular

Same deal on the brakes...they are just not over boosted like the "modern" cars often feel. BMW's brakes are famous, too, for having a heavy first bite. The P-car's are more progressive...get on em hard on the track before your decide if you have a pad problem.

The 993 is a very different breed, that's why we're all here.

KC993

Chris,

What tires do you have on? Might make a little difference. Check your pressures to make sure they are not too high...

Chris - 97C2

Thanks for the info gents, this is exactly what I was looking for. I assumed as well that the M3s have a substantial "bite" at the beginning (which you actually grow to love quite easily) and that the 993s where just boosted differently.

As far as the steering goes, I'll just have to take a ride in another and compare.

The tires are a part of the problem (at least for me personally) as the dealer I bought the car from had put the new Dunlop FM901s all around. I couldn't get him to replace with Pzeros or Pilots even if I put in some extra money, so I'll just be upgrading when I do the suspension (M030 Row/HD later this month hopefully). Looking at Pilots probably, maybe the Cup tires that Viken mentioned.

The 993 *is* a very different breed and that's why I love it so much. It's the perfect blend of what I want in a car. Interestingly enough it has made me admire my E46 M3 for what it is, but also made me realize that I miss my E36 M3 enough to potentially trade back to one! I am thinking of getting another E36, strapping a supercharger to it, and putting some money back into the bank for P-car modifications

Greg Fishman

Chris,
I had a E36 M3 also and I loved the steering feel it had. I think the 993 is a touch lighter and quicker though. Both cars are at the top of the sports car heap regardless.
Anyway my 993 has a very little "dead spot" IMO. Have you checked you power steering reservior? Maybe even flush the fluid.

Mr Michael B

Bullet writes:

"Michael - You use Pagid Orange for the street?"

Naaa. Actually, I use the brakes very little, so most any generic pad will do for my "style."

However, I have many "nut ball friends" that love Pagid, and they do have the orange loaded in their cars (75% street - 25% track).

Anyhow, I am not the one to ask about 993 brake pads. Back a few years ago, all my close SCCA competitors use to say "Michael, you should just remove the brake pedal from your car - & save the weight..."

I guess I was never one to give up the momentum. Its just too hard to get back when you do!

Greg Fishman

[quote]Originally posted by Michael B.:
[I guess I was never one to give up the momentum. Its just too hard to get back when you do![/QB]<hr></blockquote>

LOL! Speaking of late brakers, did you see who BJZ has a ride with this weekend? I will tell him hello for you. Hope he and Kevin can out pace the AJR guys.

Chris C.

Chris:

There seem to be a huge number (since it is low production) of e46 m3s for sale with 2000 or so miles on them. I know this always happens to some degree with the new hot cars, but you have to wonder if the enthusiasts who bought them were dissappointed with it being too good a modern GT and not enough of a fun "sports coupe" anymore.

I loved my e36 M3 as it still had a high level of involvement and feedback.

I sold the m3 and came back to a 993 (passed on the e46 m3) as I just missed the purity of the 993.

Several on this board have had similar experiences. Maybe we're all getting nostalgic, but seems like the cars are getting too good (read too numb) for driver's like us. ??

Chris - 97C2

Chris,

I agree! The E46 M3 is so good in so many ways (the engine is simply a work of genius), but it leaves you wanting and just feels.... well... bloated. I suppose a nice dose of Dinan or Hartge or one of the other tuners might help, but except for a lack of power, I loved my E36 (and absolutely the 993) right out of the box. Now that said, I just drove up to Charlotte in back in the E46 and it sure is a nice ride

Hopefully, I'll be able to sell the E46 quickly if I take that route. Actually, I am selling my Harley too because I liked my cheap crotch rocket (Yamaha) better too! Guess I am just getting fickle in my "old age" <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />